Author Interview – Lacey Weatherford

I have been very fortunate to get to know Lacey Weatherford, through the use of Twitter, Facebook and Email so much so I now class her as a very good friend. Not only is she a fantastic author but she is also a lovely, sweet person.

Her debut novel The Trouble with Spells, is the first book in her series Of Witches and Warlocks. You can check out my review here, my page about the series here or the official website here.

Lacey agreed to do an interview with me, which I am so excited about as it’s my first ever author interview. Wish me luck…

1. What inspired the story that is now, Of Witches and Warlocks?

Of Witches and Warlocks came into existence from an idea that first sparked in my head after my daughter Kamery had colored her hair one day. Her hair had been blonde and she switched it too a very dark brown, which at first appeared black. I jokingly told her that everyone was going to call her a witch. The comment stuck in my head for some reason and I began pondering on it for a week or so as the idea started to form in my head. My original idea however, was to have the story revolve around my main character, Portia Mullins, and her best friend, Shelly. I had written the first chapter when I felt the introduction of a hot, hunky, bad boy into the story might have its benefits as well. Thus Vance Mangum was born. He came into the story and took it over! The rest is history.

2. Can you tell us how you came to have your book published?

After I had written the first book I asked some family to read it. They loved it and immediately began asking for the second. I was excited by their reaction so I wrote The Demon Kiss in seven days! They loved it and encouraged me to have it published. I did so with trepidation as I had no idea what-so-ever on how to do it. I read up on a few things like how to submit a query letter to agents and things like that. I found a list of agents and publishers and just started sending out query letters to them. I think I sent out twenty and I probably heard back from fifteen of them. All were friendly responses and several asked for additional manuscript. I received my first offer for publication within a week. In my naivety I accepted that offer, after experiencing a night of shock, delight, and disbelief. I had no idea how long to wait for responses from people and often wonder what might have happened if I had waited as I was still receiving requests for additional manuscripts clear up to the week the first book was published. While I was very happy to have my first publisher help me to get my book published and out to the public, I learned a lot about the industry after that and eventually made the decision to switch to my current publisher who suited my needs, and I think the desires of my readers, a little bit better.3. How many books are slated to be in the series? Can you tell us the next title and release date?There will be four books in the series. Book 2, The Demon Kiss, just released officially on April 23rd, so I’m excited to hear fan reactions to it! Book 3, Blood of the White Witch, is still undergoing some final touches by me. It will go through a couple of proof readings after that. Then it will go to my personal editor before going to the publisher and their editor, so I anticipate it will be a few months before it is ready to be published. My goal is to have it out sometime around September!

4. How did you come up with the Coven idea?

I liked the idea of the traditional witch covens that have been involved in the lore and culture surrounding witchcraft through out history. It was intriguing to me for it to have kind of an extended family type feel to it. I wanted it to be full of people that Portia could ultimately go to for help, knowing she could trust them with her life, her support group of sorts.5. Why did you decide against the usually Wiccan ideas of witches who worship a goddess? In addition, have them still believe in God?

I did borrow off of the Wiccan ideas a bit as far as for any spells or things like that, though I did purposely try to make the magic in this book its own kind of style. Doing so helped to give me a little more creative license as a writer by not having to follow a rule of existing guidelines. I certainly didn’t have any problem with the characters believing in Pagan deities, which was the original direction I intended to go. However, I had once read a book for a research paper on witchcraft, particularly dealing in the area of love spells. That book actually encouraged people to practice magic in addition or as a compliment to their current religion. This idea had kind of stuck in my head and I thought it might be an interesting deviation from the norm to have a group of Christian witches instead. I liked the idea and decided to run with it.

5. Who is your favourite character and why?

I always feel like a betrayer to my other characters to have to choose one above the rest, but in this case I have to say that hands down, Vance Mangum is my favorite character. As far as why, well he was just incredibly fun to write. Vance is such a rich character with so many layers to unravel. I could probably write stories about him for the rest of my life and never get sick of him! I also had a really great visual of him in my head thanks to wonderful young Hollywood actor, Matt Lanter (90210), who was my muse for the character. Being able to visualize him and his mannerisms just helped Vance to seem so much more real to me in my head.

6. Are you a paranormal fan?

Absolutely! I love reading it, watching it, writing it. I have been interested in it since I was a young girl. I like the stories about it whether they are fiction or not. I can watch shows like Ghost Hunters for hours! It is just a really interesting/entertaining genre.

7. Did any films or books inspire you?

I guess I would say books in general inspired me to write. I love to read and I had hoped to write a book “someday” starting back as early as age eight. Every time I would read a really good book I had the urge to write one of my own. Actually, every time a read a bad book I was inspired as well, thinking I could write a better one than that one! (haha) I don’t think I had one specific film/book that inspired me though.

8. I love Portia’s character, is she based on anyone?

Portia is a great little gal isn’t she? I did not base her on anyone specifically, though I did use traits that I admire in my daughter Kamery, such as her confidence and love for her family. I just wanted Portia to be an everyday kind of girl who finds out she really is an extraordinary individual. I wanted her to be strong and sweet at the same time. She really has to grow up quickly with the situations she is placed in, which can sometimes break someone down, but in her case it makes her even stronger.

9. I love Grandma Mullins; do you have a grandmother like her?

My sweet grandma has sadly departed from my life several years ago. She was like a second mother to me and one of my best friends. We would sit and visit together for hours at a time and I delighted in every second of it! While she wasn’t like Grandma Mullins in her lifestyle, except for maybe her fun, spunky attitude, there was definitely the close relationship between the two of us as there is between the characters in my book. I miss her everyday!

10. Finally, for all the budding authors like me, do you have any words of advice?

I get asked this question a lot and I am always afraid that my answer sounds so generic, but keep writing!! Even if you feel like you are blocked or stuck, just keep writing! I found if I tried to work things out in my head I ended up not getting anything accomplished, so I quickly learned to just keep writing. Something will eventually evolve out of it. When you are finished with your project pass it around and ask others for their honest opinion. Their critiques can really help you finesse that story into something wonderful so listen to what they have to say. If it means you have to rewrite something to make it better then do it! As far as being published I recommend that aspiring writers research the agents/publishing houses that they send queries to. There are definitely sharks in the business which are out to take advantage of you. There is a wonderful website called Predators and Editors where you can look up information which I would encourage any writer to visit.

Thank you very much Lacey, it has been great chatting to you.

I cannot recommend this book enough, if you love the paranormal like myself and love romance like myself then this book is for you. If you are in the UK and wish to buy it, email me at susankmann [at] blueyonder.co.uk or outwith the UK you can buy it from the official website.